Ohio is brimming with unique lodging destinations that make a trip all the better. With small town charm and beautiful landscapes, finding a lovely place to call home for the night is the cherry on top.
The Barn at Shamrock Farm provides both overnight accommodations and an experience in and of itself. It’s a perfect getaway destination if you want to escape from the busyness of life and surround yourself with the beauty of nature. The Barn’s proximity to Athens gives you the option of staying put for the duration or heading into town. While in Athens, you’ll be able to attend performances at Ohio University, shop the downtown or visit a local winery. I’ve touched on just a few of the options throughout this article to whet your appetite for a fantastic visit.
Relaxing at the Barn
Personally, I love being on the go. I love exploring new places, meeting new people, and learning new things. That being said, I also can appreciate the opportunity to unwind and hang out with my husband, my kids, or friends. During my stay at The Barn at Shamrock Farm, I was able to do just that with a friend from Lancaster.
The owners, Kerry and Mike, have done a fantastic job creating intimate spaces, both inside and out, that lend their hand to great conversations. Inside, you’ll find couches and a chaise lounge enticing you to kick off your shoes, put your feet up and savor the moment.
The showstopper piece of furniture is the twelve-foot farmhouse table that welcomes you as you enter. The history to this wooden beauty dates back to Kerry’s Great-Great-Great-Grandparents when they settled here from Ireland. Reusing one of the hand-hewn barn beams after deconstruction, the table now continues to collect special memories from those who gather. As you sit at this special table, let it sink in as to the age of this wood. The tree was cut down over 300 years ago. You can only guess how old the tree would have been at that time to have been able to cut such a huge beam from its core. Oh, the stories it could tell!
Cozy, Clean Spaces
With gorgeous summer mornings and evenings on the horizon, opting for one of the outdoor spaces is just as inviting. On the back patio you will find comfy outdoor furniture, perfect for curling up with a good book. For those beautiful chilly evenings, heat lamps are available on the patio, or you can even enjoy the huge firepit and swings. Are you completely hooked yet?
Let me plug in a note here to let you know exactly how clean this Air BnB is kept. I’m not one to typically give a place a literal white glove test, but this time it came about quite naturally. I had on white socks all evening and on into the morning. After walking around inside during all that time, they were still absolutely clean! The kitchen, the bathroom and the entire premises followed suit.
Ohio’s Beauty
The Barn at Shamrock Farm sits on a gorgeous piece of land in Athens County, Ohio. Just south of the Hocking Hills region, you’ll be able to take in the rolling hills and rock outcroppings that encompass the property. There is a gravel trail that leads you to a soothing stream down below The Barn. Once you arrive at the water’s edge, feel free to practice your hand at rock skipping or pull a chair up to the water and relax. It’s the perfect destination for meditation, yoga or mindfulness.
The trail is approximately a quarter mile long and it does have an incline, so tennis shoes or hiking boots are recommended. The trailhead is to the right of the barn when looking at the front door.
Amenities at The Barn
The Barn is set up with a full, stainless-steel kitchen equipped with practically everything you will need for a delightful stay. The hosts are very gracious with all the added touches. Cold water bottles in the refrigerator, an assortment of individual coffee creamers, along with cookies and popcorn are all waiting for your arrival. The Keurig is filled and ready to brew. A great assortment of K-cups are provided by the hosts as well.
As briefly mentioned above, you can be as relaxed or as active as you like. Outside, a super cool game of (rubber) axes can be played as well as a game of giant Yahtzee. Inside, you’ll find an entire cabinet of board games for hours of entertainment. A large screen tv is upstairs for an at-home movie night.
What to do Nearby
Although you are completely engulfed in a fantastic country setting while staying at The Barn, you are only a few miles away from downtown Athens and a lovely winery. A college town with small town charm is here to welcome you and help you feel part of the community. Its diversity is amazingly broad considering its size.
Pleasant Hill Winery
A scenic 15-minute drive will get you to Pleasant Hill Winery where you’ll be greeted with yet another fantastic, rolling hills view of Athens County. Upon arrival, you need to take a few minutes to wander around the premises and take in all the great sights. The interior has two seating areas both adorned with farming items found on the property during restoration. Even if you don’t sit inside, be sure to check out the adorable room with lovingly restored log beams. The entire building has an amazing history.
Savoring a glass of wine or one of their wood-fired pizzas on the patio is such a summer treat. Your view consists of a small portion of their vineyard along with additional, lower-level seating. On a clear day, you can see for almost fourteen miles.
Pleasant Hill Winery’s food menu changes on a weekly basis which gives ample reason to return, as if you needed one. Check out their summer drink specials – there’s sure to be one to quench any thirst.
Athens Coffee Houses
Athens being a college town, you can imagine that there will be plenty of sources for caffeine. The great thing about multiple coffee houses is the variety of options. All locally owned, they each serve up delicious food and drinks in their own style of décor. My personal favorite is Brenen’s Coffee Café with a close second being Village Bakery & Café.
Ohio University and the Downtown
Throughout the year, Ohio University (OU) hosts a variety of events: music, sports, and theatre. The campus makes for a beautiful spot to take a leisurely walk. The downtown is full of unique shopping, restaurants and even a retro theatre. The historic buildings, especially the Athens County Courthouse, are an added bonus to the beautiful landscape.
Visiting The Barn at Shamrock Farm
After reading through the article and browsing through the pictures, have you decided who you’re going to invite for an overnight stay? A significant other, a group of friends, or maybe even a personal getaway for yourself. Whichever you choose, this peaceful oasis will be pleasing to all who enter.
You can check the availability calendar and book your stay through their Air BnB link which can be found here.
I’d like to pass on a special Thank You to Kerry and her family for hosting us. Everything was just perfect! Also, a big Thank You to the Athens County Visitors Bureau for the gifts. Such a fun surprise!
As with all of my articles, the opinions are mine and I only write about places I’ve actually visited. Do you have a place you’d like to have featured? Email me at bountifulblessingstravelblog@yahoo.com I’d love to hear from you!
Since The Barn at Shamrock Farm is so close to the Hocking Hills Region, you might enjoy reading about camping and Ohio day trips. Additional destination ideas can be found on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
